According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department’s Colorado River Station, at approximately 11:25am PT on Wednesday, November 14th, a sheriff’s lieutenant in Mohave County, Arizona attempted to stop a vehicle on westbound Interstate 40 approaching the California state line.

The driver failed to yield and fled from the lieutenant.

The vehicle crossed into California and exited the freeway at Park Moabi Road in Needles, California where it left the roadway and became stuck.

The driver and sole occupant, identified as 20 years old Christian Estudillo from Ridgecrest, California, fled on foot from the vehicle and ran into Park Moabi.

Estudillo attempted to carjack another vehicle but was unsuccessful.

He ran to another unoccupied vehicle, which had the keys left in it, and drove away.

While fleeing in the stolen vehicle, he attempted to run over witnesses.

Estudillo drove out of Park Moabi and travelled westbound on Interstate 40.

A California Highway Patrol officer located the suspect vehicle and pursued it on westbound Interstate 40.

Estudillo exited Interstate 40 at Five Mile Road driving into the desert where the vehicle became stuck and he fled on foot.

Law enforcement officers from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, the California Highway Patrol, and the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office converged on the area and began to search for Estudillo.

A San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Special Enforcement Division (SWAT) sergeant was driving an unmarked sheriff’s department vehicle on Five Mile Road when Estudillo flagged him down for a ride.

Estudillo was immediately taken into custody without incident.

During the investigation it was determine Estudillo stole the first vehicle he was driving from a business near Interstate 40 and Arizona State Route 95.

Estudillo was transported to the Colorado River Station jail where he was booked for CVC 10851(a) – Vehicle Theft, PC 664/215(a) – Attempted Carjacking, and PC 245(a)(1) – Assault With A deadly Weapon. His bail was set at $125,000.